Fatwa Authority bans commercial advertising across Kuwait mosques

• The Fatwa Authority of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs said that mosques were not built for advertising or promoting any commercial products or commodities and must be kept pure and free from such activities.

The Fatwa Authority of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs issued a ruling stating that “it is not permissible to use mosques for advertising or promoting any commercial products or commodities.”

They emphasized that mosques were not built for this purpose and must be kept pure and free from such activities, both inside the mosque and in its enclosed outer courtyard.

The authority issued its fatwa on May 22 in response to a question about “a new phenomenon in large mosques with many visitors from different regions. This phenomenon involves business owners, including those of perfume and food stores, banks, and others, wanting to provide their services for free to worshipers by placing tables with their commercial signboards and presenting their products. This is often accompanied by documenting the service with photography and then announcing the activity on social networking sites.”

The questioner added, “This takes place inside the mosque or in its surrounding outer courtyard.” What is the ruling on this act? Is it part of marketing projects in the mosque, especially since these entities are profit-making and not charitable, or is it charity and donation from the project owners? What is the duty regarding this phenomenon occurring?